Manufacturing's New Workforce

It's Benzinga, bringing Wall Street to Main Street. U.S. manufacturers have added 72,000 jobs since December, but the new positions increasingly require college degrees or advanced technical training, according to the Wall Street Journal. Between 2015 and 2025, manufacturers eliminated 244,000 production jobs while adding 358,000 management, business, and financial operations positions, according to Labor Department data. Automation has reduced demand for traditional assembly line workers while increasing the need for engineers, analysts, and skilled technicians. Industries including aerospace, computers, electrical equipment, and cooling systems have added workers this year. The shift offers higher wages, but creates barriers for workers without advanced education. Manufacturers and workforce development organizations are expanding training programs amid concerns that a shortage of qualified workers could constrain hiring, too. For all things money, visit Benzinga.com.